The Dos and Don’ts of Holiday Cleaning

Even though the holidays come around every year at the same time, it can feel like you’re completely unprepared. Cleaning for the holidays can be extremely overwhelming, especially if it’s put off until the last minute. In fact, a study conducted by Eufy, a provider of smart home devices, found that 73% of Americans hate cleaning, and 51% admitted that holiday cleaning was extremely stressful.  

At Merry Maids®, we believe in being fully prepared and having all the knowledge needed to eliminate holiday cleanup stress. Let’s talk about a few holiday cleaning tips and dos and don’ts to truly make this the most wonderful time of the year.  

The Dos 

Plan Ahead 

Having a plan of action can make all the difference in your holiday cleanup routine, including taking the stress out of the process because you’re not rushing. Planning weeks ahead, knowing you’ll have holiday guests to entertain, will keep you focused, organized, and ready to tackle holiday cleanup without issue.  

Focus on Organization 

Before you can concentrate on holiday cleaning, you’ll want to organize your home first. This includes ditching the clutter in bedroom and entry closets, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and other storage areas. If you’re unsure how to get started, check out our tips to organize the trickiest spaces. Once organization is locked down, you can plan your holiday cleaning checklist accordingly.  

We recommend you start organizing areas most used, like your entryway or mudroom (if your main entrance is in that area) and kitchen and bathroom storage. Decluttering your home will make your space feel airier and cleaning less taxing on everyone. 

Start Simple 

The name of the game with holiday cleaning is simplicity. You’ll want to start with simple tasks first and work your way up to the more complicated and involved cleaning. For instance, start with the bathroom, one of the dirtiest places in your home. However, cleaning this space is very straightforward. Start by disinfecting the tub, toilet, and sinks. Then, you can move on to cleaning surfaces like the vanity, mirrors, and floor. Finally, remove bathmats and fabric shower curtains to throw in the washing machine. 

Dust First, Vacuum/Sweep Last 

How often have you vacuumed, thinking that’s the most logical first step? We hate to break it to you, but vacuuming should be one of the last things you do. It wouldn’t make much sense to sweep or vacuum the floor and then dust. All that dirt and debris will just end up on the floor or carpet, forcing you to re-vacuum. Trust us; this holiday cleaning tip will save you time and your sanity. After all, you’ll need every ounce of strength to devote to friends and family. 

The Don’ts 

Don’t Rush Cleaning 

We know that cleaning may not be your favorite pastime, but it’s worth taking your time. When you rush holiday cleanup, you might: 

• Miss areas and leave dirt and germs 

• Create more work for yourself 

• Use the wrong products and damage surfaces 

• Complete cleaning last minute 

To combat this problem, plan ahead or trust a professional cleaning team to support you (wink, wink).  

Don’t Clean Alone 

As the saying goes: teamwork makes the dream work. And if you dream of getting your home cleaned before the holiday festivities, we suggest involving the entire family. Not only will you get the job done faster, but your family will also have a greater sense of pride knowing you worked as a team to prepare your home for holiday guests.  

Don’t Ignore Hidden Areas 

Do you have closets and cabinets that rarely see the light of day? Do you have a crawlspace that hasn’t gotten any attention in months, even years? Now is the time to tackle those hidden areas that people rarely see. Why? Because these spaces could be affecting the cleanliness of your home and possibly things like air quality. You never know if these infrequently seen spaces have leaks or mold spores that could potentially harm your family. If you’re not cleaning or organizing these areas, you should check to ensure there aren’t hazards brewing.  

Don’t Neglect Appliances 

With constant use comes some wear and tear. Your kitchen and laundry appliances need a little TLC every so often. Don’t avoid cleaning the inside and outside of your refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave, etc. When the holidays arrive faster than you thought possible, you’ll be thankful you took care of these major appliances before your guests arrived.  

Need Help Cleaning for the Holidays? Merry Maids® is Here! 

With only a few weeks separating you from holiday chaos, it’s time to trust the cleaning experts at Merry Maids with your home and your family’s health. We can help you organize your space, disinfect it thoroughly, and eliminate the inevitable stress that comes with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year. Just sit back, relax, and let us transform your space by requesting a free estimate with our team today!